Natural Deaths During the Holidays

By Ann Nucatola&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Fri 6:04 PM, Dec 17, 2004&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Fri 6:04 PM, Dec 17, 2004

A new report says Christmas is one of the deadliest days of the year. The study says more Americans die from heart attacks and other natural causes Christmas day, the day after and on New Year’s day than any other.

Harry Persons, a patient, says, "I just went in for my yearly checkup and was having some anxiety, not attacks, but a little pain around the heart. I told the doctor I just thought it was gas, he said better be safe than sorry."

A new study shows if more people had the same attitude as Mr. Harry Persons, more people would survive the holiday season. The study, coming from the University of California, San Diego, says during the season including Christmas and New Year’s more people are likely to die of heart related disease for different reasons.

Dr. Earl McKenzie, a cardiologist, says, "Most people abuse themselves over Christmas; stressed out, bad diets. When they have symptoms related to heart attacks or heart disease, even if they recognize the symptoms they're less likely to seek help because no one wants to go to the hospital over the holidays."

Also, the holiday diet plays a part in putting off the doctor.

"A lot often times heart symptoms are mistaken for indigestion from eating and drinking too much."

Doctors advise if you don't have a history of heart disease, it may just be indigestion, but if you do have a history, doing so could make sure you're around to enjoy next holiday season.

The study results are now printed in the journal called "Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.”

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.